CBS Sports Network to air United Football League games

The CBS Sports Network today announced an agreement to televise United Football League games.

The league has been pretty much a bust through its first three seasons, but program-starved CBSSN is taking a chance by televising live games Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the eight-week season, which begins Wednesday, Sept. 19.

The UFL does have some prominent coaches, such as Marty Schottenheimer and Jim Fassel, but not much of a following. A visit to the league website show 2011 information but nothing on 2012, although we believe there are five franchises: Hartford Colonials, Las Vegas Locomotives, Omaha Nighthawks, Sacramento Mountain Lions and Virginia Destroyers, who are the defending UFL champions.

Schottenheimer, the former Browns, Chiefs and Chargers coach, leads the Destroyers. Fassel, ex-Giants head coach, is president, general manager and coach of the Locomotives, who won the first two UFL titles.

I understand what the United Football League is trying to achieve, and I did watch their championship game in the first season. But the UFL has the same problem that the XFL and other American professional non-NFL leagues have endured. If people want to watch pro football, they’ll watch the NFL. The UFL brings nothing new or exciting to the table in terms of giving people a REASON to watch it. What, because someone who was the third-string quarterback in the pros is now a starter? Or maybe some Arena League running back is now getting a chance in this league? Pfft. I’d honestly rather watch a test pattern.

@Chuck; I believe the only way a league such as the UFL has a chance is with an NFL affiliation. I believe people would watch an NFL “minor league” if played when other football isn”t being played, especially if the players could get “called up” to the NFL. Without the NFL brand, what chance does it have?

It’s amazing the amount of naysayers that the UFL has. It’s really kind of sad. Despite it’s mismanagement the quality of play was pretty darn good. They had a great broadcast team for the games I saw. I know they owe a lot of money but from a football fans perspective, just football-the playing of it by athletes-not the league office stuff… I’m cool with this league. I don’t see the need for the over criticism but hey every one is entitled to an opinion. People like CBS sports picked them up and are giving them a chance, I know I will. The more football the better. Today’s 3rd stringer gets the opportunity to show the world that the NFL made a mistake by not trusting his talent over their overpriced vet.

I Hope the UFL makes it, i watched several games last year and it was good stuff. I Hope that the CBS Sports Network maintains there contract with the UFL for many years to come. Unlike the Arena Football League the UFL is not boring. If the AFL were to fold again i don’t think many people would care.